Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has released data showing that of the 5000 noisy vehicle notices issued since 1 January 2014, about 12 per cent went to motorbike owners.
Harley Davidson owners were the top culprits, with 465 owners receiving an EPA notice that required them to have their bikes noise tested and to make any repairs to ensure compliance with the Environment Protection Act 1970 and the Environment Protection (Vehicle Emissions) Regulations 2013.
Yamaha, Honda and Kawasaki were the other vehicle makes to receive more than 20 notices.
EPA Regulatory Practice and Strategy Executive Director Chris Webb said that noisy motorbikes were a focus for EPA and feedback from the community was that motorbikes were considered as big, if not a bigger noise pollution problem, than cars.
“Our statistics back up public perception with motorbike owners being sent 12 per cent of our notices and yet they only make up 4 per cent of vehicles on our roads,” Mr Webb said.
Mr Webb said motorbike noise limit regulations largely depended on when the bike was manufactured.
“Provided the bike’s exhaust system has not been modified, all bikes manufactured from 2005 will need to pass their own specific noise limit as set within the Australian Design Rules. A bike’s specific stationary noise test information must be displayed on the vehicle for motorbikes manufactured from 1 March 1988,” Mr Webb said.
“However, if a bike was manufactured before 2005, or was manufactured after 2005 and has a modified exhaust system, it will have a limit of 94 decibels (dB). All bikes manufactured prior to 1 March 1985 will have a noise limit of 100dB. Put into context, 100dB sounds like a jet taking off from 305 meters away and 94dB would be like standing on a platform when a train goes past.”
Mr Webb said that under the Environment Protection Act 1970, it was an offence against the registered owner of a motorbike to exceed prescribed noise standards.
“When a vehicle has been reported as being excessively noisy by either an EPA officer or a Victoria Police officer, the registered owner receives a notice requiring they take their bike to an EPA-approved noise tester,” Mr Webb said.
“The owners will then need to make any repairs or modifications as required to ensure their motorbike is compliant before being retested. EPA notices also require the registered owner to lodge a certificate of compliance, which can only be obtained from an approved noise tester. EPA has the power to suspend a vehicle’s registration if a certificate is not provided.”
EPA encourages the community to report noisy motorbikes at their local police station. If a police officer is able to observe the vehicle being too noisy on a public road, the vehicle will be referred to EPA so a notice can be issued to the vehicle owner.